New FIBA Foundation Board Meets at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball

MIES (Switzerland) - The 2nd FIBA Foundation Board Meeting took place on June 17, 2024, at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland.

The meeting occurred just one day after the successful 10th edition of the FIBA Open, one of the Foundation's flagship projects. With inclusivity as one of its focal points, the event welcomed over 300 teams including 11 Special Olympics and 3 wheelchair basketball teams. This alignment allowed the board members to observe the work carried out by the FIBA Foundation.

This was the second assembly of the newly appointed board, which initially convened during the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 in Manila last year. 

The following key topics were discussed at the meeting:

Activity Report of the Cultural Heritage Unit 

The Cultural Heritage strategy for the 2023-2027 cycle was presented to the board. The strategy is divided into 5 areas of activities:  Collections & Historical Archives, Patrick Baumann House of Basketball, FIBA Hall of Fame, Community of Basketball Historians, and Cultural Programs.

The board members were informed about the advancements of each Cultural Heritage area, designed to preserve and promote the rich history and cultural significance of basketball.

The newly established Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, chaired by Jane Maywald, was also presented to the Board which will provide expert guidance and support to these projects.

Activity Report of the Basketball For Good  Unit
 

The Basketball for Good Unit is segmented into three main areas aiming to use basketball as a vector of positive change: Mini Basketball, Youth Leadership, and Community Impact. The strategy of each area for the upcoming cycle was presented to the board.

The significant key statistics of the 2023 Basketball For Good programs were then reported to the board. Over 250,000 young people from 100 different countries were positively impacted by the work of the Foundation.

Additionally, the board undertook a thorough review of the applications submitted through the "Propose a Project" platform. This initiative invites individuals and organizations to propose innovative projects that align with the Foundation's mission. The Board approved the projects that will be supported including financial assistance, equipment, and ongoing monitoring. The full list of projects will be communicated during July.

The newly formed Basketball For Good Advisory Committee, chaired by Shaikh Isa Ali Khalifa Al-Khalifa, was also introduced to the Board and will offer expert guidance and support for the Basketball For Good projects.

Activity Report of the Communications & Fundraising  Unit

The FIBA Foundation Board received an update from the Communications & Fundraising Unit. Key numbers of the recent initiatives and plans for the upcoming months were presented to the members. 

The inaugural FIBA Foundation Gala Dinner, which took place the night prior to the Final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, was presented as a key fundraising initiative within the continuous effort of the Foundation to increase its external financing.

On this occasion, the 2023 Basketball For Good Impact report was shown for the first time to the group. The document, aimed at highlighting the social work carried out by the Foundation, was positively received by members. The impact report will be widely shared with the Basketball For Good community in the near future.

Other matters

The remainder of the meeting was dedicated to discussions on financial and administrative matters.

The next FIBA Foundation Board Meeting is scheduled to occur during the FIBA Mid-Term Congress in Bahrein in May 2025.

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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.

The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.

FIBA